Erica Smits (nee Hall)
Manager of Communications and Engagement
BLACKWALL,NSW
Summary
I am a proud Gamilaroi and Euahlayi woman, my family are the Hall’s and Throne’s from Walgett in NSW and Dirranbandi in QLD. Throughout my working life, I have always been attracted to industries where I can contribute to my local people and community. I consider myself a very ambitious person, who believes education is the key to developing your capacity and becoming a transformational leader. My work ethic, determination and commitment affirm to my positive attributes and professional development. I stand on the shoulder of giants coming from a very well-known Aboriginal family who have transformed the landscape of NSW Aboriginal Land Rights, Public Service, Education and Health for our people.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
20
20
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Manager of Communication and Engagement
Aboriginal Affairs NSW,
Mascot, NSW
06.2023 - Current
- Aboriginal Communications and Engagement Aboriginal, Development of the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Communications Strategy and Cabinet
- Submission briefings
- Facilitating Staff Cultural Immersion Training on Country
- Guest Speaker for numerous events including MC the International Council of Monuments and
- Sites, 2023 Gala Dinner for over 1500 National and International guests
- Key Responsibilities Overseeing the development and delivery of a suite of Stakeholder Engagement services including building close working relationships with key Aboriginal stakeholders to facilitate a co- design approach as part of the Aboriginal cultural heritage reforms.
Senior Manager of Aboriginal Strategy and Engagement
Create NSW
Martin Place, NSW
2022.08 - 2023.06
- Leading the negotiations with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal stakeholders to reach strategic directions that inform the Aboriginal cultural heritage reform process
- Managing intergovernmental and industry stakeholder relationships through effective communication, negotiation, and issues management to ensure stakeholders are engaged throughout the project and project deliverables are met
- Developing a range of communications materials such as discussion papers, meeting papers, media releases, presentations, and public consultation documents tailored to a range of stakeholder groups with an interest in the reform process
- Establishing and maintaining appropriate project and program management information and reporting systems to enable the Agency to meet its project management and reporting responsibilities
- Contribute to the professional development of team members by providing leadership, management and coaching where relevant
- Providing culturally informed advice to inform the direction of key aspects of the reform process
- Provide expert advice and information to stakeholders on emerging project issues and present recommendations to support project delivery in line with established plans, budgets, timeframes, policy objectives and other project priorities
- Appointment)
- Create NSW, Successfully advocating for funding to send staff and community members to the Cultural
- Purrumpa conference in Adelaide 2022
- Leading the drafting and launch of Create NSW first Innovate RAP
- Creation of communication protocols and Aboriginal Cultural policies
- Key Responsibilities Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Create NSW, I lead the development, delivery and implementation of strategic advice and engagement that supports and enables the vibrancy and viability of Aboriginal policy across the arts, screen and culture sectors in NSW
- Undertook research, analysis and review of complex Aboriginal policy issues
- Provided cultural leadership within Create NSW to drive cultural awareness, ensuring the organisation acts with integrity and in accordance with Aboriginal cultural protocols
- Provided advice to and working closely with the Create NSW infrastructure team to ensure appropriate engagement with community across its portfolio of cultural infrastructure projects
- Lead and delivered the Create NSW’s internal and external Aboriginal engagement protocols.
Senior Compliance Officer
Office of the Registrar of ALRA
Parramatta , NSW
10.2021 - 08.2022
- Provided strategic advice and leadership relating to funding programs benefiting Aboriginal culture
- Office of the Registrar of the, Drafted templates and training presentations for staff and land councils
- Knowledge and understanding of the legislation and Network and engaging with land councils across the state
- Experience with all three levels of the Network- Land Councils, NSWALC and ORALRA
- Key Responsibilities Provided advice and support to Aboriginal Land Councils to ensure compliance with the Aboriginal
- Land Rights Act 1983 (ALRA) and Aboriginal Land Rights Regulation 2014 (ALRR)
- Identify and report on compliance and governance issues for Aboriginal Land Councils
- Provided advice and support to Aboriginal Land Councils in collaboration with the NSW Aboriginal
- Land Council and make recommendations for appropriate interventions
- Worked with the ORALRA’s compliance and governance team to assist with designing and implement the ORALRA’s risk management framework for monitoring compliance of Aboriginal
- Land Councils
- Managed all aspects of project planning, development, and implementation for a range of projects, including developing project plans, coordinating resources, managing budgets, meeting reporting requirements, and supporting project-related activities, to ensure project outcomes are achieved on time, on budget, to quality standards and within agreed scope in line with established agency project management methodology
- Monitored and evaluate all aspects of project implementation, including risk and contingency management, benefits realisation, project impact and quality measures, to identify and address issues, assess project progress and effectiveness, and achieve project outcomes
- Undertook research and formulate recommendations to support evidence-based project planning and decision making
- Provided advice and information to stakeholders on emerging project issues and to support project development and delivery in line with established plans, budgets, timeframes, policy objectives and other project and priorities.
Director- Sydney Newcastle Region
NSW Aboriginal Land Council
Gosford, NSW
01.2018 - 10.2021
- Successful succession planning and LALC support to enable a smooth transition to act in the
- Zone Director capacity
- Assisted UNFUNDED LALC’s due to compliance and governance issues, to became FUNDED and compliant
- Commitment and involvement with all aspects of the Zone Office, with ongoing training and support by staff and LALC
- Adhering to internal policies and ensuring compliance by all Eastern Zone staff
- Key Responsibilities Provision of appropriate and well considered strategic advice to LALC’s regarding management, development and disposal of real assets
- Formulation of the Zone annual budget; Monitoring expenditure against the approved budget, provision of monthly reports in respect of any budget over-expenditure with reasons and proposed corrective actions; Ensuring that correct and appropriate administrative and financial records are maintained in accordance with NSWALC Policies and Procedures Manual, The Act and audit requirements, provision of all necessary cooperation and support for internal and external audits, responding to audit reports in a timely manner; implement audit recommendations
- Ensured all contractual issues are appropriately documented, satisfy all requirements for probity and transparency and are periodically reviewed, providing advice to LALC’s on appropriate types of contracts (e.g., design and construct, negotiated, cost plus or nominal sum), ensuring maintenance of professional and honest relationships between the Zone and the suppliers, developing and maintaining a monitoring program of alternative service providers
- Monitored purchases under negotiated agreements (and ‘out of contract’ expenditure) to determine if a formal contract may be more cost effective, undertaking purchasing related planning and forecasting using cash flow analysis, capital budgeting and costing techniques, commissioning post completion reviews of capital works projects
- Analysed risk and formulating effective Risk Management strategies which best serve the interests of the NSWALC, ensuring that all LALC’s within the Zone are fully funded, pursuant to the universal acceptance of Formal Finance Agreements, providing expert assistance and guidance to LALC’s in the preparation of submissions to the NSWALC regarding loans and land sales, conformity of management procedures in all aspects with Council and Government
Senior Support Officer Sydney Newcastle Region
NSW Aboriginal Land Council
Gosford, NSW
03.2016 - 01.2018
- OFFICIAL requirements including Council Delegations and Timely and appropriate resolution of disputes escalated to Zone level
- Successful promotion to Senior Support Officer within the Zone
- Integration of templates, policy and procedures for the Zone Office
- Facilitation of Zone Conferences
- Ensuring compliance is met across all operational streams
- Key Responsibilities 2IC, responsible for the operations of the Zone Assisted in establishing effective policies, procedures, and reporting and internal controls for ALCs to enable them to operate efficiently and effectively
- Participated and contribute in LALC Support Unit (LSU) and Senior Management Team (SMT) meetings and discuss the provision of services to LALC’s specifically the frequency of field visits, assessments and meetings
- Contribute regularly to joint LSU and Finance and Administration (FA) meetings and discuss the separation of roles, duties and implement directions from Zone Director
- Drafted briefs, correspondence and reports for the Zone Director’s signature encompassing relevant advice and guidance for specific LALC’s
- Prepare Briefs on behalf of the Zone
- Director for LALCs who display difficulty in meeting compliance requirements
- Provided advice to LALC Support Officers in relation to internal office protocol and NSWALC code of conduct and provide to LALC’s information of obligations under NSW legislation including ALRA, Workers Compensation Act and Funding Policy conditions
- Participated in Zone strategic planning workshops and attend Head Office when required to provide advice and contribute to policy formulation
- Provide advice regarding complaints and prepare appropriate correspondence to LALC and complainant and brief appropriate Delegate within NSWALC
- Financial Report Assessments, RCTI – Funding Release Letters, Community Land & Business
- Plan (CLBP) Report Assessments, Assessment of Community Benefit Scheme Residential Accommodation (CBS-RA)
Education
MBA - Social Impact
UNSW
2020 - Current
11/12 Aboriginal Leadership Program - Leadership
NSW Public Service Commision
2023 - 2023
Emerging Indigenous Executive Leaders Program - Leadership
UNSW
2021 - 2021
Bachelor Of Business - Management
Charles Sturt University
2017 - 2020
Advanced Diploma - Management and Human Resources
Hunter TAFE
2016
Diploma - Project Management
Hunter TAFE
2016 - 2016
Affiliations
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
- Committee Member on the National NAIDOC Commitee for NIAA,
- Executive Commitee Member for Australia ICOMOS,
- Committee Member for Heritage NSW Aboriginal Culture and Heritage Advisory Committee,
- Committee Member for the Aboriginal Housing Offices Northern Regional Aboriginal Housing Committee,
- Council Member for the State NSW National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council,
- Deputy Chair for the Public Service Association Aboriginal Advisory Council,
- Native Title Holder and Member of Yuwaalaraay/Euahlayi Aboriginal Corporation,
- Voting Member of Darkinjung LALC
- Member of Mingaletta Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation Member of the Woy Woy Peninsula,
- Koorana Aboriginal Education Consultative Group,
- Committee Member for the Ricky Walford Shield held yearly in Walgett,
- President of Brisbane Water Netball Club, Woy Woy Peninsula Netball Association,
- Justice of the Peace (JP185782) and Working with Children Check (WWC1638378V)
Additional Information
AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS:
- 2023- MC for ICOMOS General Assembly Gala Dinner-2023
- 2021- Operations facilitator for Tuggerah NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Koori Knockout
- 2021- Highly Commended recipient, Charles Sturt Uni Indigenous Alumni Awards
- 2020- Finalist for the National Dreamtime Awards in Education
- 2018- Selected to attend the Straight Talk Women’s convention in Canberra
- 2017- Elected Sydney/Newcastle regional Delegate for Convention for Constitutional Recognition in Uluru
- 2016- NSW Aboriginal Land Council, Award for Excellence
- 2014- NSW Aboriginal Land Council, CEO Encouragement Award
- 2014- Central Coast NAIDOC, Nominee Achievement in Work
- 2011- Darkinjung LALC, Appreciation for Service Award
- 2010 & 2012- Operations facilitator for Aboriginal Rugby League Koori Knockout Woy Woy & Raymond Terrace.
Work Preference
Work Type
Full TimeWork Location
HybridImportant To Me
Career advancementCompany CultureWork-life balanceWork from home optionPersonal development programsFlexible work hoursnetball
I am the President of Brisbane Water Netball Club for the local Netball Association, which is the last remaining inaugural netball club still operating on the Peninsula
Timeline
Manager of Communication and Engagement
Aboriginal Affairs NSW,
06.2023 - Current
11/12 Aboriginal Leadership Program - Leadership
NSW Public Service Commision
2023 - 2023
Senior Manager of Aboriginal Strategy and Engagement
Create NSW
2022.08 - 2023.06
Senior Compliance Officer
Office of the Registrar of ALRA
10.2021 - 08.2022
Emerging Indigenous Executive Leaders Program - Leadership
UNSW
2021 - 2021
MBA - Social Impact
UNSW
2020 - Current
Director- Sydney Newcastle Region
NSW Aboriginal Land Council
01.2018 - 10.2021
Bachelor Of Business - Management
Charles Sturt University
2017 - 2020
Diploma - Project Management
Hunter TAFE
2016 - 2016
Senior Support Officer Sydney Newcastle Region
NSW Aboriginal Land Council
03.2016 - 01.2018
Advanced Diploma - Management and Human Resources
Hunter TAFE
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